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COMBINED AIR HOSE GOUPLING AND STOPVALVAE. N0.'5'65,981. lPatented Augf 18, 1896."

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mung@ un@ 6, u 19 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.'

SAMUEL R. HEIDELBERG, OE TYLER,

TExAs, AssIGNonoE ONE-HALE To HORACE H. .ROWLAND, OE SAME PLACE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 565,981, dated August 18, 1896. Application fled September 28,1895. Serial No. 564,031. (No model.)

To LZZ whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, SAMUEL R. HEIDEL- BERG, a citizen of the United States, residing Improvements in a Combined Air-Hose Coupling and Stop-Valve and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

This invention contemplates certain new and useful improvements in air-brakes and relates more particularly to the combining of a stop-valve with the air-hose coupling in the train-pipe.

It is well-known in the art that when trainpipes are disconnected the rear coupling is frequently left open, thus rendering the airbrakes utterly useless until closed. It is also well known that the disconnecting of the train-pipeswithout first relieving or balanc ing the air-pressure therein is a frequent source of danger to the trainmen because of the jumping or rebound of the couplings when disconnected'.

It is the 'main object of my invention to overcome these difficulties, and to that end I so construct and arrange a cut-off valve in the air-hose coupling, in lieu of the'A ordinary angle-cock, as to render it necessary to shut o said valve before the coupling can be safely disconnected, thereby insuring, the closing of the valve before the cars are uncoupled or separated and also giving a signal whenever said valve is moved to or from its seat. When said valve is closed, the airpressure around the same is so balanced that the couplings may be safely disconnected without danger ofthe usual jump or rebound.

VA further object of my invention is to provide a' cut-o valve in connection with the air-hose, coupling whereby the accumulation of dirt, cinders, and other foreign substances in the train-pipe is prevented.

The invention Will be hereinafter fully set forth, and particularly pointed out `in the claims.

casing a of the air-chamberV a2 of the coupler 6ov `is provided with an upperoylindrical por-A tion a3.

In the bottom of casing a' is formed the usual opening a4, forming communication ywith the adjoining coupler, the gasket a5 be- 6'5l ing extended through said opening and provided with a flange a", adapted to rest on a circular oifset a7 of said casing. This gasket is held in position by a ringo?, fitting bef neath shoulders a9, formed above the offset 7ov a7. The ring a8 is inserted into position by being bent so that the same will pass under the shoulders a9, after which said ring is .flattened out. In Fig. 5 I have illust-rated a ring which is provided with struck-up portions d10, which are Viiattened out after said ring is moved under the shoulders a9.

The cylindrical portion a2 is provided with an interior threaded portion b, which is adapted to supporta threaded plug B, which 8o in turn is provided with a central hole or opening b for the passage of the valve-stem `of the cut-off valve. The plugB is provided with a central chamber b2, on the bottom of which rests packing b3, adapted to prevent 85 escape Vof air through the hole or opening b', said packing being held in positiony by a threaded `plug b4, working in said chamber b2. Recesscs b5 and b are formed in the top faces of plugs B and b4, whereby said plugs 9o may be engaged by a suit-able wrench.

C is the valve, the stem D of which is projected up through the hole or opening b' of plug B. This valve comprises a circular disk d, formed integral with stem D and having a central cylindrical extension d adapted to re ceive a leather valve-bearing ring d2,"whichl is secured in place by a suitable screw d3. The valve-bearing d2 is adapted to seat upon the ring a8.

The stem D of the valve is extended up through the plugs B and b4 and is providedl of a modified form. 55

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with an upper squared portion e, aroundv which iits a corresponding opening e of an operating-handle E. Said handle is provided with reduced portions e2, which lit in inclined slots e3 of the cylindrical portion 0.2, whereby the valve C is moved up or down by the turning of said handle. The handle E is held locked in a flange e4, projecting from the casing a', said iiange being provided with a camlike end e5, upon which said handle is designed to bind.

The valve-stem D is provided with a hole or opening f immediately above disk CZ, which communicates with a central hole or bore F of said stem. A second hole or opening f leads from the upper end of said bore to the` exterior of the valve-stem.

When the valve is raised to its highest limit, the opening f is normally closed by plug B. Immediately upon the valve being moved toward its seat, however, the opening f passes below plug B and allows air to escape from the train-pipe through chamber a2, the air in its passage through said opening and its outlet emitting a shrill whistle or signal. rlhis escape of the air continues until the valve is seated, by which time the opening f will have passed below the plug B, whereby furtheroutlet of the air is prevented. The openings f and f and bore F are not of sufficient diameter to allow of any considerable reduction in the train-pipe, but when the valve C has reached its seat the air-pressure on either side of the same is so eqnalized or balanced that the couplings can be disconnected with little or no danger, since all liability of the couplings to jump or rebound is overcome by such balanced pressure.

In the form shown in Figia wall gis formed between the chamber 0.2 and cylindrical eX- tension as, said wall being provided with a a hole or opening for the passage of the valvestem g of the valve G. The valve is composed of a circular disk g2, formed integral with the valve-stem, said disk being provided with two cylindrical reduced portions g3g, around the former of which fits a disk or ring g5, forming a base for the bearing-ring g, which latter is held in place by a screw Q7. A packing-ring g8 is secured in acylindrical opening 99 of the wall or partition g by a threaded plug gw. An air-escape opening Q12 is provided in the wall or partition g for the same purpose as the bore F of the other for-m, said opening being closed by the valve when in its raised position and by a rubber plug fx on handle E, said plug being designed to fit over said open'- ing when said valve is lowered.

The operation of myim proved cut-off valve is apparent and the advantages thereof will be readily understood by those skilled in the art to which it appertains.

It will be specially noted that the air-hose coupling cannot be safely disconnected without iirst shutting off said valve, and that when said hose-coupling is so disconnected dirt, cinders, and other foreign substances are prevented from entering the train-pipe.

It will also be seen that when the operatin g-handle is misplaced from any cause whatever a signal will be given to the trainmen by the escape of air through the vent-openings or by the continuous leaking of the air,

causing a reduction. in the train-pipe sufficient to effect the setting of the brakes.

I claim as my invention-- 1. An air-hose coupling provided with an air-chamber having a lower opening therein', and an upper cylindrical portion, a transverse wall or partition separating said airchamber and cylindrical portion, a cut-off valve adapted to close said opening and having its stem extended upward through said wall or partition, means for operating said valve, and means for allowing air to pass from said air-chamber to the outer atmosphere, whereby a signal is given when said valve is moved toward or away from its seat, as set forth.

2. An air-hose coupling provided with an air-chamber having a lower opening therein, and an upper cylindrical portion, a gasket placed in said opening, a securing-ring therefor forming a valve-seat, a transverse wall or partition separating said air-chamber and cylindrical portion, a cut-off valve adapted to close said opening and having its stem eX- tended through said wall or partition, means for operating said valve, and means for allowing air to pass from said `air-chamber to the outer atmosphere, whereby a signal is given when said valve is moved toward or away from its seat, as set forth.

3. An air-hose coupling` provided with an air-chamber having a lower opening therein, and an upper cylindrical portion, shoulders projecting from the inner wall of said airchamber adjacent said opening, a gasket placed in said opening, a'securing-ring therefor extended under said shoulders and forming a valve-seat, a wall or partition separating said air-chamber and cylindrical portion, a cut-off valve having its stem extended through said wall or partition, means for operating said valve, and means for allowing air to pass from said air-chamber to the outer atmosphere, as set forth.

fi. An air-hose coupling provided with an air-chamber having a lower opening therein, and an upper cylindrical portion, a transverse wall or partition separating said airchamber and cylindrical portion and provided with a central chamber, a packing-ring secured in said chamber, a cut off valve adapted to close said opening and having its stem extended through said wall or partition and said packing-ring, means for operating said valve, and .means for allowing air to'pass from said air-chamber whereby a signal is given when said valve is moved toward or away from its seat, substantially as set forth.

5. An air-hose coupling provided with an;

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air-chamber having a lower opening therein, and an upper cylindrical portion,a transverse wall or partition separating said air-chamber and cylindrical portion and provided with a central chamber, a packing-ring located in said chamber, a securing-plug for said packing-ring, a cut-off valve adapted to close said opening and having its stem extended th rough said wall or partition and said packing-ring, means for operating said valve, and means for allowing air to pass from said air-chamber whereby a signal is given when said valve is moved toward or away from its seat, substantially as set forth.

6. An air-hose coupling provided with an air-chamber having a lower opening therein, and an upper cylindrical portion, a transverse wall or partition separating said air-chamber and cylindrical portion, a cut-off valve adapted to close said opening and having its stem extended through said wall or partition, said Vvalve comprising a circular disk having a bearing-ring secured thereon, means for operating said valve, and means for allowing air to pass from said air-chamber whereby a signal is given when said valve is moved toward or away from its seat, substantially as set forth. v

'7. An air-hose' coupling provided with an air-chamber having a lower opening therein, and an upper cylindrical portion, a transverse wall or partition separating said air-chamber and cylindrical portion, a cut-oft valve having its stem extended through said wall or partition, said valve adapted to close said opening and comprising a circular disk having a central reduced portion extending therefrom, a bearing-ring encircling said reduced portion, and a securing-screw for said bearing-ring, means for operating said valve, and means for allowing air to pass from said airchamber whereby a signal is given when said valve is moved toward or away from its seat, substantially as set forth.

8. An air-hose coupling provided with an air-chamber having a lower opening therein, and an upper cylindrical portion having inclined slots formed therein, a wall or partition separating said air-chamber and said cylindrical portion, a valve adapted to close said opening and having its stem extended through said wall or partition and provided with a squared end, an operating-handle secured to the squared portion of said valve-stem and projected through said inclined slots, and means for allowing air to pass from said air-chamber whereby a signal is given when said valve is moved toward or away from its seat, substantially as set forth.

9. An air-hose coupling provided with an air-chamber having a lower opening therein, and an upper cylindrical portion having inclined slots formed therein, a Wall or partition separating said air-chamber and said cylindrical portion, a valve having its stem extended through said wall or partition, an operating-handle for said valve projected through said inclined slots, a iange extending from the casing of said coupling and adapted to engage said operating-handle, and means for allowing air to pass from said air-chamber when said valve is operated, substantially as set forth.

10. An air-hose coupling provided with an air-chamber having a lower opening therein, and an upper cylindrical portion, a transverse wall or partition separating said air-chamber.

and cylindrical portion, a cut-off valve adapted to close said opening and having its stem extended through said wall or partition and provided with an air escape opening, and means for operating said valve, as set forth.

ll. An air-hose coupling provided with an air-chamber having a lower opening therein, and an upper cylindrical portion, a transverse wall or partition separating said air-chamber and cylindrical portion, a cut-off valve adapted to close said opening and having its stein extended through said wall or partition, said stem having a central bore and upper and lower openings communicating with said bore, whereby an air-passage is formed, and means for operating said valve, as set forth.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

SAMU-EL R. HEIDELBERG.

`Witnesses:

J. H. LE GRAND, GEO. S. MCGHEE, Jr. 

